Lead Data Scientist, Justice Services

ABOUT THE ROLE Reporting to the Executive Director of Research Innovation within the Policy Unit, this role is responsible for designing, testing, and communicating data-driven policy solutions to improve justice process efficiency, system flow, and safely reduce the jail population. The position involves leveraging evidence-based insights, crafting a data science-driven research agenda, and incorporating nuanced data insights into trainings, external messaging, and high-impact contexts. The successful candidate will manage projects from inception through implementation and build relationships with research, agency, community, and justice-involved partners. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Conduct exploratory data analysis and build descriptive and predictive models to support policy and practice. - Design, build, and deploy machine learning models into production environments, including monitoring for model drift and performance degradation. - Create reproducible workflows in Python, R, and SQL, and maintain well-documented research processes. - Deliver policy briefs, presentations, and interactive dashboards that translate complex findings into actionable, decision-ready evidence. - Partner with city agencies, nonprofits, and justice system stakeholders to scope projects and align research with operational needs. - Support public and stakeholder engagement by presenting results at conferences, policy forums, and cross-agency working groups. - Prepare insights for publication or for internal use as appropriate. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. 2. An associate degree from an accredited college or university along with two (2) years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory, or liaison responsibilities. 3. A four-year high school diploma, or its educational equivalent, along with four (4) years of experience as described in item 2. 4. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to that described in items 1, 2, and/or 3. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Postgraduate degree (master's or PhD) in statistics, economics, data science, computational social science, or a related quantitative field preferred. - 5+ years of experience in applied data science, analytics, or research roles, ideally in policy or civic tech. - Strong portfolio of self-directed analytic work; justice system experience is a plus. - Detailed knowledge of Python or R for data manipulation, analysis, and modeling. - Experience using advanced statistical techniques and modern machine learning methods for predictive modeling. - Experience working with relational databases (e.g., Microsoft SQL, PostgreSQL) and writing complex SQL queries. - Experience integrating external data from APIs and common data formats like JSON, CSV, and Parquet. - Expertise in data wrangling and cleaning, including handling messy, incomplete, or complex administrative datasets. - Strong data storytelling skills with experience creating visualizations, dashboards, and policy briefs. - Ability to generate and drive a project from conception to implementation and balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data and research clearly. SELECTION PROCESS - No Exam Required. HOW TO APPLY - Applicants must include a resume and a cover letter specific to this position. - Job ID: 799028 - Application Deadline: Posted until 11/07/2026. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employment Type: Full-Time - Experience Level: Manager (Job Level M1) - Number of Positions: 1 - Work Location: 1 Centre St., Manhattan, N.Y. - Department: Office of Criminal Justice, Program Staff - Residency Requirement: New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. City employees with 2 continuous years of service may be eligible to reside in specific surrounding counties. - Benefits: Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and state repayment assistance programs. - Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of New York is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce free from discrimination and harassment.//